Your Weekend on Lake Garda: 3-Day Travel Guide

Day 1: Arriving to Lake Garda

Welcome to Lake Garda! Although this lake is far from a "hidden gem," there's a valid reason it's so popular. The moment you set your sights on the rugged landscape and the picturesque towns you'll understand why, too.

I know deciding between Lake Como vs. Lake Garda can be a tough decision but if you want my quick response: I vote Garda.

Where to Stay

The biggest decision you'll have to make when planning your trip to Lake Garda is where on the lake to base yourself. Since you only have 3 days here, I recommend you pick one town and make it your base instead of hopping around and trying to squeeze in too much.

There are so many great towns on Lake Garda so I know it can be tough to choose but here's a quick run-down of a few of the most popular:

• Peschiera del Garda: Easiest and quickest to get to from Verona but because of this it's a really popular destination for day trippers. A good choice if you want to go to Gardaland Amusement Park.
• Desenzano del Garda: Just one train stop away from Peschiera, making it also really convenient. This town feels more residential and less impressive than the others but is a good choice for off-season visits since more people live here year-round.
• Sirmione: The most popular town on the southern shores of Lake Garda. Even in the off-season this town stays crowded. Since the area is so small, there's not much room to spread out. Sirmione is home to one of Italy's best preserved castles, which is a big driver for most visitors.
• Malcesine: For those craving a more quiet getaway, this town is great. Just know that it's the hardest to get to and the ferries here don't run year-round. The views from the lake and from above are really incredible.
• Limone sul Garda: From all the towns, this one felt the most touristic but it's also the most beautiful. Although the views from others can be better, the actual town itself is gorgeous, especially in the summer when the flowers are in bloom. Famous for their lemon groves, you can expect lemon flavored everything here.
• Riva del Garda: This is my personal favorite town on Lake Garda. To me, this one offers the best mix of natural beauty, things to do, and a lively old town. Northern Lake Garda in general is more picturesque than the south since the landscape is more dramatic.

While I recommend staying in Riva del Garda, I'll leave the final decision up to you. I'll highlight some specifics if you also choose to stay here but I'll write the rest of the article in a way that you could apply the tips to really anywhere you choose.

For those that agree with me, I wrote a 3-day travel guide for Riva specifically that'll help you fill in the missing pieces of planning.

Roam Around the Old Town

So long as you choose one of the towns on the lake and don't pick somewhere in between, you'll have a historic city center to explore.

One of the best tips I can give you for your entire trip to Italy is to not overlook the simple joy of roaming through a town older than your country (if you're from the US like I am). Italy prides itself on preserving its history so you'll see architecture left untouched, cobblestone streets, and colorful buildings that'll make you swoon.

For your 1st day on Lake Garda, I recommend you stay in the town you decided to stay in and simply get to know it. Wander without a destination, sit down to a slow meal, peek into shops that catch your attention, and see what you can find.

This is also the best way for you to get an idea of what else you want to do during your trip. So often people arrive with strict itineraries based on internet planning, and while I understand planning for the big pieces, leave plenty of time open to see what you find while here.

Unless you don't need 9 hours of sleep a night to function like I do, I recommend getting an early night tonight because tomorrow's day will be busy.

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Day 2: Get on the Water

One of my favorite things to do on Lake Garda is see it by boat. While you can rent your own boat or take a water taxi places, I personally enjoy the ferry system.

The ferries are pretty reliable and although each boat I've been on has been unique, all offer indoor and outdoor seating and are well-maintained. You can buy tickets in-person at a kiosk before your trip or purchase them online in advance from this website.

I've always gotten my tickets in-person but that's mainly because I'm not a big planner and prefer to make my travel decisions on the fly. That said, if you're rushed for time and trying to buy the tickets from one of the southern towns in the summer, you'll thank yourself later for purchasing them in advance.

Just know that as far as I'm aware, the only way to buy a day pass for the ferry is in-person. This is the best option if you plan to visit more than one town.

Although you can take a ferry from Sirmione all the way up to Riva del Garda, know that the ride takes nearly 5 hours. Instead, I recommend that you take the ferry to see neighboring towns.

For example, Peschiera, Desenzano, and Sirmione are all near each other and would be convenient to see in one day, while in the north, Riva, Limone, Malcesine, and Torbole are also interconnected.

Personally, I'd spend the full day out visiting 1-2 other charming lakeside towns.

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Day 3: Hike, Bike, Swim, or Try a Water Sport

For your last day on Lake Garda, I hope you have the time and energy for some sort of activity. Lake Garda is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. The lake is fantastic for water sports like kitesurfing, wind surfing, or sailing (especially near the northern tip).

The mountains surrounding the lake are full of hiking or biking trails, ready for you to traverse. And for something easier, there are a number of walking and biking paths along the lake that are flat and better for those looking for something not quite so strenuous.

If you visit in the summer, the water here is icy cold and perfect to cool you down after time spent in the sun. I know it can be easy to get swept up in the excitement of being somewhere new and you can overlook the obvious but I'd highly recommend some time to sit by the lakeside and swim.

A Few of My Favorite Trails

For water sports, I recommend you visit any of the number of shops along the lakefront. Most, if not all, offer classes for beginners or rentals for those with experience. For swimming, you can also just bring a towel and find a nice spot on any of the number of beaches around the lake. Just know that most of the beaches are rocky, pebbly, or grassy.

But for those looking for a few of my favorite trails around Lake Garda, I recommend:

• Scenic View of Malcesine: This one is flat and easy and can be done on a bike or on foot. Starting from the old town, you simply need to walk along the coast towards Isola dell'Olivio. The moment you get around the curve, turn back for a picture perfect view of the town backed by impressive mountains.
• Monte Baldo in Malcesine: Also from Malcesine, you can take the cable car up to Monte Baldo. Here you'll have great views of the lake itself and a number of hiking and biking trails to choose from. This could be as easy or challenging as you'd like to make it.
• Ponale Road: Coming right out of Riva del Garda, Ponale Road is a historic road that they converted in a hiking and biking trail. Although many people just go up to the scenic bar and cafe, Ponale Alto Belvedere, from here you can actually hop on a number of other trails and continue your adventure. I've tried a number of trails over here and all are great but of course, if you stay along the lake, you'll stay with the better views.
• Biking from Riva to Arco: This was a recommendation from the hotel I stayed in at Riva del Garda on my last day of the trip. You can also walk the trail but as it's flat, it's a great option for those that aren't experienced mountain bikers but who want to cover a lot of ground. The bike path is called the Ciclabile del Basso Sarca and takes you even farther north than Arco (that's just where I went). Arco is a really cute town that's worth visiting.

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Lake Garda Travel Tips

This really just scratches the surface of all that Lake Garda has to offer. To see all the medieval castles, roman ruins, stunning towns, and impressive landscapes you'd need a lot more than just 3 days.

Even with a combined amount of time of 2 weeks I've spent on the lake, I know I'm just scratching the surface of all the things to see and do. Although this might feel overwhelming and make you want to squeeze in as much as possible into your trip, I highly recommend you fight that urge.

Pick a small corner to explore more thoroughly and if you love it as much as I do, come back to a different area the next time you're in Italy. Lake Garda will be waiting!

Best Time to Visit

Since Lake Garda is in Northern Italy, it gets 4 true seasons. You can expect the summers to be hot and the winters to be cold, with even some chances of snow.

The weather on the northern side of the lake can be a bit more unpredictable. On my trip in November and another in July, the weather changed rapidly from hot to cold and sunny to rainy. Just like anywhere in the mountains, it's best to come prepared for a little bit of everything.

The best time to visit is really based on what you want to see and do while visiting. Since the water here is cold, the best time to swim and take advantage of that side of the lake is the summer. For those more interested in hiking and biking, spring, summer, and fall are all good options.

Just know that if you're most interested in taking the ferry around the lake and visiting the different towns, not all ferry lines run year-round. I highly recommend you check the routes before committing to your trip if you're visiting in the off-season.

Peak season is July and August here but southern Lake Garda gets crowds year-round, regardless of the weather. Small towns in the middle of the lake, like Malcesine, get really quiet once peak season passes. My trip here in November was the perfect excuse to completely relax but after visiting again in the summer, I realized just how much can change between the months.

How to Get Around the Lake

As I mentioned before, you have a few ways to get around Lake Garda. The train stations are only on the southern shore or nearby towns in the north (but not on the lake). Trains can be useful to arrive but aren't an option to get around.

Instead, I recommend using the ferry. If you visit in the off-season and the ferry isn't an option, you can drive, take the bus, or even bike. There are also numerous boat tours you can choose from but personally I prefer the ferry since you can stay longer at a town you enjoy or skip one that doesn't interest you, rather than being stuck on the tour's schedule.

The most expensive option (but possibly the most fun) is to rent your own boat or hire a water taxi. Just know that if you rent your own boat, you're often not allowed to dock places so it's not a valid way to explore the other towns. It's more for just cruising the water and enjoying the views. A water taxi would be able to leave you at the docks of other towns though.

Is a Day Trip Enough Time?

I don't think so! A lot of people pop over to Peschiera del Garda, Desenzano del Garda, or Sirmione for a day trip from Verona and while it's certainly doable, I don't think that amount of time will show off the best that Lake Garda has to offer.

As I've mentioned, the northern half of Lake Garda is home to the best views and the prettier towns. Even still, if you decide to stay a night in one of the southern towns, you'll get some time to enjoy the area with a little bit less people than the daytime traffic brings.

I suggest spending at least 3 days here to get a better feel for the lake and experience more that it has to offer.

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You'll Love Your Trip to Lake Garda

As Italy's largest lake, Lake Garda has a lot to offer. From the lake's southern shore to the dramatic northern tip, there are so many fantastic towns to explore and stunning nature to enjoy.

While it can be tempting to just squeeze in a day trip here, I highly recommend you put in a little more effort and head to the northern half of the lake and stay for a few nights.

What really makes Lake Garda great is that both nature lovers and those that prefer charming towns with plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops can find joy here. And for someone like me that loves having a little bit of everything in their getaways, you'll adore it.